Early birthday present!

I got an early birthday present the other day!  Debs had my name in one of my stitching groups.  She is so *on the ball* and got it to me EARLY!!  We chatted back and forth a little bit and she was able to pick out my favorite things.  Pink, purple, hearts and breast cancer awareness!!  Just look!!

 

debs1        debs2

 

                                       debs3

 

I just LOVE all of it!  Aren't those scissors the cutest!!  Her son made the beaded thread counter - how sweet is that??  Thanks again Debs!!  You totally spoiled me! 

 

The boys were out of school on Friday for a teacher in-service.  I had big plans of spending the day making candy and getting my hair cut and high lighted.  Unfortunately, my plans changed.  My great uncle died and the visitation and graveside services were Friday afternoon.  He was a very sweet man!!  He and my paternal grandmother were brother and sister.  I have very fond memories of Uncle Ray and Aunt Evelyn. 

Here's picture of Jonah and Uncle Ray.  Last year, Jonah's class made cards for the veterans at the VA home.  They passed out the cards and sang several patriotic songs.  Jonah got to give his to Uncle Ray.  One of the local TV stations were there filming and Jonah was on TV, along with his class. 

                                              joanduncleray

 

We did get some Christmas candy made before I had to go the the funeral home.  We made fudge and dipped pretzels.  Jonah and I made a gingerbread house. He had a lot of fun with it.  I was so impressed - he didn't want it to look just like the box picture. 

gbhouse1 gbhouse2

I didn't take a picture of the finished house!  I'll do that and share it later.  I'm planning on taking some pictures of some of my favorite Christmas things to show y'all!  Hopefully I'll get to that before Christmas is over!! 

All of my pictures lately have been of Jonah.  I do have 2 other boys!!  These pictures are of Josh.  This is what he was doing while Jo was decorating the house...

sillyjosh joshgaming

 

Jake was hiding from my camera that day.  But here's a picture of him from Thanksgiving in Little Rock.

                                   jakeKK

Don't you love that old truck?? 

Christmas Meme

 

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate with marshmallows!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Sits them under the tree, though the thought of wrapping them has crossed Santa's mind since the boys LOVE to get up at 4AM....

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights on our big tree.  Usually red lights on our Coke tree (couldn't find them this year ugh!!)   Red lights on the garland on the front door.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, I never have.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The Friday after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Oyster dressing, my paternal grandmother made the best.  I miss her!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child. On Christmas Eve, we always went to my paternal grandmothers.  I remember spending the late afternoon at her house just bouncing off the walls waiting for my parents to get off of work.  It took forever!!  She'd try to keep us busy but I know we drove her crazy!  Then when they finally got to her house, we had to EAT first before opening presents!  Didn't they know what was important?? 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was in 2nd grade and a girl that lived behind us told me.  I was truly heartbroken! 

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Now that my grandmother is not here with us, we go to my dad's.  We open presents there.  It's usually so late when we get back to our house, the boys go straight to bed.  We open our presents Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Our tree is full of memories!  Nothing matches and there is no rhyme or reason.  I'm just grateful now that the boys are taller and there are ornaments at the top of the tree and not just at the bottom!  We have Hallmark ornaments that Nannie started for the boys. Now my Aunt Pat does them.  I have a couple for my childhood.  And of course there's some the boys have made.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!  Wish we would have some snow!

12. Can you ice skate? No.

13, Do you remember your favorite gift? When I was little, it was a lifesize ballerina doll that had a crown.  When you turned the crown, she would twirl!  As a grownup, probably my pink iPod!  But then there's my journey necklace, my slide bracelet.....

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering WHY we celebrate and making memories for the boys!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  all of them......lol  Cherry cream cheese pie, chocolate pie, oreo pie...

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to my dad's on Christmas Eve, making fudge

17. What tops your tree? A bow this year, the angel that we've put on our tree for 21 years didn't survive.  Haven't found just the right thing to replace her.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? is it bad to say both??!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Mary did you know?

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yummy if it's a sweet peppermint

21. What do you want for Christmas? nothing really this year.  just to have fun with our families

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? We went to one with some of Brad's co-workers, I think I was the only spouse there.  Not much fun!

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJ’s? We don't dress up.  Getting teenagers to wear more than blue jeans is NOT worth the fight in my book!  We might stay in our PJ's this year since we won't be going anywhere on Christmas day this year!  Maybe I should go get us all new ones!!!!

24. Do you own a Santa hat? No, but maybe I should!

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Family